Trinity Baptist Church, located in Sikeston, Missouri, is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. The church was formally admitted into the Charleston Baptist Association in September of 1966. The founding of the church, however, took place almost a year before that, when its membership organized on Nov. 24, 1965 at the National Guard Armory in Sikeston. There were 125 people in attendance that evening.

Four days later, on Nov. 28, the church's first worship services were held in the old Scott County Milling Company office building on Center Street. Dr. Thomas Messer, Chair of Bible at SEMO University, served as the first interim pastor, beginning on December 12, 1965. Various ministries, including Sunday School, Training Union, WMU, and Men of Trinity were soon organized. Dr. E.D. Owen, a retired minister living in Cape Girardeau, became the church's second interim pastor on April 24, 1966.

The congregation purchased a 20-acre plot of land on N. Main Street in February of 1966, and broke ground for a new building in September of that year. Then, on October 30, 1966, Dr. Robert Lively became the first full-time pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. Dr. Lively was in charge of the Cornerstone Ceremony for the new building, held in June of 1967. He and his wife are remembered fondly by long-time members of the church for their love and pastoral care during his pastorate. In June 1969, the Rev. George Cummins was called and became the church's second full-time pastor. One of our charter members recalls that one of the goals Rev. Cummins set for himself was to visit each man of the church at his workplace.

Tom Geers became the third pastor of Trinity Baptist in 1974, and was here for 30 years, until his retirement in August of 2004. The foundation of Brother Tom's ministry was his commitment to the authority of Scripture and to the centrality of Christ. He taught the Bible faithfully throughout his tenure at Trinity, and was well-known and respected in the community.

Upon retirement Tom and Loraine moved to Durham, NC, where they are, to their delight, much closer to their grandchildren. After a prayerful search for a new church home Tom and Loraine decided to join First Baptist Church in Durham. Tom is currently leading one of the church's Sunday evening home fellowship Bible studies. Not long ago, Tom's son Kenneth carved out a little niche in cyberspace for Tom, located at TomGeers.com. You can find Brother Tom's phone number there, and even listen to some of his old sermons.

A few years before Brother Tom announced his retirement, the church had again made plans to build. Several options were considered, but eventually a decision was made to build a new sanctuary. That project was completed in January of 2003, and the old sanctuary reverted to it's originally intended function as a fellowship hall. The first services were held in the new building on February 2, 2003.

One memorable event that took place during construction of the new sanctuary was a church dinner, which was followed by a time for members of the church to write out favorite passages of Scripture on the concrete floor of the building, before the walls were erected. As a result, when we gather for corporate worship we are in a sense literally "standing on the promises of God." For us, that's merely a metaphor for the way we want to conduct not only our worship services, but also our lives--standing firmly on the Word of God, fully trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross, and fully obeying His commands.

Last Updated ( Friday, 12 May 2006 )

User Comments

Although this history was a brief flyover, it is indeed inspiring. My family, grandparents (Lewis & Freda) and Dad (Lewis) & uncle (Paul) were all part of Trinity from the beginning. They were a part of planting this church.

I am now in the early stages of planting a church here in St. Louis and thoughts of Trinity are one of many things the Holy Spirit uses to spur me on and help me endure in the work of this ministry.

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am so grateful for all that the Lord has done among His people here at Trinity. We will pray for your plant in St. Louis. Keep us updated and let us know if we can ever help. Take care brother,

wm

Posted by William Marshall, whose homepage is here on 05/27/2008 at 16:45

I was a member of Trinity in the early 70's when Rev. Cummins was pastor. What a gentle soul...He encouraged me in my spiritual journey and endured way to many comparrisons to 'Dr. Bob'.....Keep the faith you all!